Box-fastener



(No Model.)

C. W. BE-EELER.

BOX. FASTENER.

No. 423,303. Patented Mar. ll, 1890..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. BEIILER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BOX-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 423,303, dated March 11, 18`90.

Application filed February 26, 1889. Serial No. 801,246. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

y Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BEEHLEE, of the city of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain neWand useful Improvement in Box-Fasteners, of Which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in Which- Figure I is a perspective view illustrative of my invention, and showing part of an eggcase or other box to which the device is applied. Fig. II is a perspective view of the catch and spring. Fig. III is a vertical section showing the device and part of the box or case.

My invention relates to an improved device for securing lids to boxes, egg-cases, andthe like; and my invention consists in features of novelty hereinafterfully described, and pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents part `of a box or case, and 2 part of the lid or cover.

Secured to the lid is a catch 3, formed upon or secured to a plate 4, by which it is made fast to the lid. The inner under side of the catch is made rounding, as shown at 5, and its top is made flat, as shown at 6. Back of this catch is a iange 7, which is preferably cast in one part with the plate and catch, and through this flange a perforation 8 is made. The lid is provided With an opening 9, (see Fig. IIL) andthe plate 4. has an opening 10, corresponding to the opening 9 in the lid.

11 represents a springarm secured to the box. This is preferably made of a piece of Wire bent to form short vertical ends 12, horizontal portions 13, vertical portions 14., and a horizontal connecting portion 15 at top. The arm is held or secured to the box by means of staples 1G, iitting over the portions 13 of the arm.

17 represents a large staple embracing the vertical parts 14 of the arm, and which serves as a guide and support to the upper part of the arm, but which does not interfere with the movement of the arm from the position shown in full lines, Fig. III, to the position shown in dotted lines.

18 represents a seal, the wire of which passes through the perforation S of the catchfiange and around the upper end 15 of the spring-arm.

The operation is as follows: When the lid is applied, the inclined face 5 of the catch bears against the end 15 of the arm 11., and forces the arm inwardly to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. III, until the end of the arm reaches the face 6 of the catch, when the arm will spring outwardly to the position shown in full lines, Fig. III, and thus engage the catch and hold the lid in place. The action of the arm as a spring does not depend entirely upon the elasticity or flexibility of the vertical portions 14. of the arm; but the horizontal portions 13 of the arm act inA the form of torsion-springs and twist as the upper end of the arm is forced inward, and then return to their natural condition when the upper end of the arm has passed the catch. The portions 13 of the arm are prevented fronrturning, as a Whole, during this action by the ends 12 bearing against the box. This will be plainly understood. When the lid is applied, the seal may be added to prevent the box being opened without detection.

`Vhen it is desired to open the box, the seal is removed, the spring-arm is forced to the position shown by dotted lines, Fig. III, and then the lid can be taken off.

l claim as my invention- In a box-fastener, the combination of the spring-arm and a catch having a round portion 5, a flat portion 6, and a plate 4, having a iiange 7, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHARLES NV. BEEHLER.

EDW. S. KNIGHT, Y TOM KNIGHT. 

